Soil enzyme activity in the dry valley phytocenoses under the influence of

The activity of hydrolytic enzymes in the soil of dry valley phytocenoses under the influence of ash-leaved maple was investigated. The research objects were selected taking into account the ranking of plantations by crown density. Soil samples were collected depending on the horizontal differentiation of communities in the undercrown and outer zones of phytogenic fields. An increase in the enzyme activity during the period of active tree growth among experimental and control samples was established. Among the enzymes, invertase demonstrated the highest activity, while protease and phosphatase were characterised by medium activity. An increased invertase activity was found in the trees with a high crown density as compared to the trees of other groups. The obtained data can be used as diagnostic indicators of soil condition for monitoring natural ecosystems